Ornamental wheel accessory



Feb. 18, 1941. LYON 2,231,933

ORNAMENTAL WHEEL ACCESSORY Original Filed June 17, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y Q I Z? E 2UP G'aoeaz 174 5587 lye.

Feb. 18, 1941. 5. A. LYoN ORNAMENTAL WHEEL ACCESSORY 17, 1936 2 Sheets-rShe et 2 Original Filed June Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to an ornamental member, and more particularly to an ornamental member adapted to be disposed over an outer side surface of an automobile or other vehicle wheel and.- to the method of mounting the same thereon.

This is a division of my copending application for wheel disk and method of mounting same, Serial No. 85,632, filed June 17, 1936 now Patent No. 2,163,004, patented June 20, 1939.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel ornamental accessory for use with automobile or other vehicle wheels which may be so secured in position as not to require any modification or change in the wheel.

It is important in the manufacture and ass-embly of ornamental devices for disposition on vehicle wheels, that these devices be economical to manufacture, simple to assemble, require no changes of the usual vehicle wheel, and be rugged and reliable in use and substantially free from vibration.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel ornamental device which possesses the above highly desirable qualities.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel method and means for mounting ornamental members on vehicle wheels.

A further object of this invention is a novel method of securing an ornamental member to a vehicle wheel by a pressing operation.

A still further object of this invention is a novel method of securing an ornamental member to a vehicle wheel which includes collapsing an intermediate portion of the member and causing the collapsed portion to press firmly against an intermediate portion of the wheel, whereby the member is secured to the wheel.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevational View of 50 a wheel, an ornamental member, and a press illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the upper lefthand portion of Figure 1, and shows the press in its position prior to the pressing operation;

55 Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but shows the press in its position at the end of the press ing operation;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectionalelevational view of a portion of a wheel, an ornamental member, and a press illustrating a modified form of my in- 1 91211312011". I Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated therein a wheel l on which an ornamental member 2 is about to be secured with the aidof a press 3 in accordance with the t'ea'ch- 10 lngs of my invention. Wheel 1 is illustrated as being of the type commonly manufactured for use by various members of the automobile indu's'try, although it is to be understood that my invention is not limited thereby. As shown, 15 wheel I comprises a rim portion 4 and a body part 5.

Rim 4 is of the drop center type and includes a base fiange 6, opposite side wall portions 1, opposite intermediate flanges 8, and side edges 9. 20 Body portion 5 includes a laterally extending flange ID at its outer periphery, and a circular holding flange ll adjacent the center of the wheel. Body part 5 is secured to rim portion 4 in any suitable manner, such as by rivets (not 25 shown). As may be seen upon careful inspection of the drawings, laterally extending flange [0 of body'part 5 extends beyond the edge of base flange 6 of rim portion 4, and in consequence thereof forms a shoulder l2 at the junc- 30 tion point of body part 5 and rim portion 4. In the manufacture of vehicle wheels, it is, as a general rule, impossible to give the outer side surface of the wheel a high polish or it pleas ing configuration because of the necessity of us- 35 ing materials having the requisite stress-resisting characteristics and in following a constructional design which is in accordance with sound engineering principles. Various types of ornamental devices have been provided which will en- 40 hance the general beauty and appearance of the outer side surface of the wheel. One type of ornamental device which is commonly used, is known to the art as an ornamental member or disk.

Referring again to Figure 1 of the drawing I have shown therein an ornamental member 2 which is about to be secured to a wheel I by causing an intermediate portion l3 to collapse into locking engagement with shoulder l2 of the wheel. The collapse of intermediate portion I3 is brought about by placing wheel I of member 2 in press 3 and applying an axial pressure thereto in a manner which will presently be explained.

Press 3 comprises abase member l4 and an upper or male die member I5. Base member II is provided with an upwardly extending portion I6 which is adapted to lie in intimate contact with the inner surface of rim 4. The top of portion I6 is so disposed as to rest against the inner edge of laterally extending flange I and thus provides a seat for the latter. Upper die member I of press 3 includes a central die par-t I and an outer annular die part I8 which is slidably mounted in an annular recess I9 of the upper press member I5. Die part I8 is recessed as at 20 in order to cooperate with a plurality of studs 2I to limit the relative movement of die part I8 with respect to central die part II. It will of course be understood that a circular flange (not shown) may be employed with equal success in the place of studs 2I. A plurality of springs 22, disposed as shown in Figure l, bias die part I8 downwardly with respect to central die part I1.

The relative position of the various elements prior to the pressing operation may be seen best in Figure 2.

I The method of mounting ornamental member 2 on wheel I is as follows:

Wheel I is placed over the upwardly extending portion I6 of base member I4 of press 3 and firmly seated thereon. Ornamental member 2 is placed over the outer side surface of wheel I and the upper die member I 5 of press 3 is lowered into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. It will be noted that outer die part I8 firmly engages the outer marginal edge portion of ornamental member 2 and holds the same against the outer side wall I of rim 4. Axial pressure in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2 is now applied to central die part II. The axial movement of central die part I! causes outer die part I8 to ride upwardly in recess I9 against the compressive action of springs 22. The downward movement of die part I! causes the ornamental member to buckle or collapse at I3 since that is the only point at which the upper member of the press lies in spaced relation with respect to the outer surface of wheel I. The relative position of the various elements at the end of the pressing operation and particularly the position of intermediate portion I3 of ornamental member 2 may be seen best in Figure 3 of the drawings. It will be noted upon careful inspection of Figure 3 that intermediate portion l3 of ornamental member 2 is now tightly pressed against shoulder I2 of body part 5, and in consequence thereof is securely fastened to wheel I.

assua e It will be noted from the above description that during the pressing operation, the wheel itself acts as one of the die members of the press.

This is an important feature of my invention as.

as the male die member and the upper die used as the female member.

In Figure 4 of the drawings I have illustrated a slightly modified form. of my invention. On inspection of the figure it will be noted that the wheel is similar to that described in connection with Figures 1 to 3 except that the outwardly extending shoulder I2 is provided with an annular radially extending head 23 near its outer edge. Intermediate portion I3 of ornamental member 2 is adapted in this case to be collapsed against shoulder I2 at a point immediately beneath bead 23. Figure 4 illustrates the various elements in their relative positions at the end of the pressing operation. It will readily be understood that bead 23 provides a further means forassuring that ornamental member 2 is firmly secured to wheel I.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will of course be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many other modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the appended claim to cover all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

, I claim as my invention:

. With a vehicle wheel of the type which includes a rim. portion and a body part having a junction, the body part having an axially extending portion beyond the junction in proximity thereto, an ornamental member for disposition over an outer side surface of said wheel, said member having a depressed intermediate portion, there being a portion of said member lying radially inwardly of said depressed portion for embracing and concealing said wheel body part and an outer portion for emibracing said wheel rim, said intermediate portion having a pressed retaining fit with said wheel body beyond said junction of said body part and said rim portion.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

